Boundaries are necessary to preserve physical, emotional and mental well-being in our relationships and in our daily lives. Boundaries are a reflection that you know, value and honor yourself, your limits, and your comfort levels. They highlight how we expect others to treat us. And that we are treated with respect and how we deserve to be treated by others.
Boundaries are a lifeline. They protect us. They give us the space to honor our own needs and limits. Boundaries are the mechanism that draws a line between people who violate our limits. These people may be toxic individuals in your life or just individuals that do not realize they are overstepping your limits.
When you set a firm and clear boundary, you are explicitly stating what your need is. This means we must be internally aware of our own individual needs and then clearly externalize this need to another.
Ideally, the person respects your boundary, and this will help preserve your relationship and your own physical, mental and emotional well-being.
If someone repeatedly pushes back on your boundaries, this may be a time to re-assess your relationship with them and if it is mutually beneficial and healthy.
Setting firm boundaries is uncomfortable and even quite difficult to set, at first. Like anything, they get easier with practice.
Once we start setting, and enforcing, boundaries with people that are causing us internal discomfort or distress, we see how empowering it is. We learn our voice and our needs matter. Our worth matters. It means we will not allow others to mistreat us.
A mindbodygreen article shares boundaries are something that happens when you can sense yourself, what you want, and what you need – and access your voice to speak up for yourself.
There are several types of boundaries.
- Physical Boundaries | protect our personal space, touch and physical privacy
- Emotional Boundaries | protect your energy and allow you to not be responsible for others energy or feelings
- Mental Boundaries | protect your thoughts, values and opinions
- Time Boundaries | protect your time commitments effectively
The intention of a boundary is not meant to change others. It is an expression of our inherent needs. It is meant to protect and enhance relationships, not dismantle them. Boundaries are healthy and protect our well-being. They help maintain healthy relationships.
Setting firm boundaries is an act of self-preservation.
Some of the benefits you experience once you begin to set clear boundaries |
- Stronger self-respect and an increased internal belief that you value yourself
- Prioritized sense of peace and the ability to filter what energy has access to you and that you are willing to absorb
- Creates mutual respect and enhanced communication in relationships which fosters a sense of feeling safe, seen and understood
- Alleviate resentment, burnout, stress, anxiety by not being available 24/7 to others problems or demands
The more you practice setting boundaries to protect your peace, the more comfortable it becomes. Boundary setting leads to a more empowered sense of being and an enhanced understanding of your self-worth.
